Continental reinvents the wheel with new concept

CONTINENTAL has revealed a unique wheel and brake combination concept that not only promises to boost electric vehicle efficiency and durability, but adds some of the most serious high-tech aesthetics yet seen in the EV realm, or any for that matter.

While conventional cars need heavy iron brake rotors to frequently absorb large amounts of energy, the majority of braking done in EVs and hybrids is through its regenerative braking system – using the electric drivetrain to reproduce power while slowing the vehicle.

Instead of hauling around heavy iron discs that corrode when not regularly used, Continental’s solution swaps the ferrous metal rotors for lighter aluminium versions that do not rust when unused and dramatically reduce unsprung and overall weight.

With a lower rotating mass, it is possible to locate the aluminium discs at the wheel’s perimeter, which increases the friction radius and allows the use of a smaller caliper, similar to a superbike’s front brakes. The result? Even more weight shed for greater efficiency and improved handling.

Mounting the caliper on the outside of the rotor, as is common with conventional brakes, was not possible with minimal clearance between the disc and wheel rim, but Continental relocated the small caliper on the inside of the rotor, adding to the unorthodox looks.

With a compact four-piston caliper, the system also reduces particle emissions associated with heavy braking and large friction surface areas.

Unsprung weight explained

Dressed up in the company’s trademark orange, the split-rim wheel itself is machined from more lightweight aluminium, its skeletal five-spoke design is completed with a carbonfibre centre cap.

The tyre and vehicle tech giant does not detail if their cool new wheel assembly is destined to appear on any production metal soon, but the concept has been fitted to a BMW i3 for winter testing in Sweden, and could roll out bolted to a new concept vehicle in the near future.